Master’s degree polymer technology

Duration of study

The course lasts 2 years and comprises 120 ECTS credits.

Objectives and competences

The main objectives of the study programme are:

• Strengthening the Slovenian economy and creating new knowledge through experts who are able to work in an interdisciplinary way in the national and international environment.
• To train top experts with profound knowledge in the field of polymer materials and technologies, who are able to:
  • solve complex challenges independently,
  • carry out independent research and development work in companies and research institutions,
  • manage complex research and industrial projects; and
  • effectively manage processes.
• Encourage a desire to acquire knowledge and become lifelong learners.
• Develop interdisciplinary networking and critical thinking skills.

Provide an excellent foundation for PhD study programmes in polymer technology and other science and engineering fields.

General competences the graduates will acquire by the programme are:

The general competencies that students acquire in the programme are:

• Ability to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge in practice.
• The ability to think analytically and synthetically, based on results and demonstratable facts.
• The ability to think critically and self-critically.
• Ability to identify, present and solve problems in their field of work.
• Ability to evaluate and ensure the quality of work.
• Ability to adapt to new situations to improve the quality of work.
• Ability to follow professional/scientific literature in their field and apply findings to practice.
• Research skills at an appropriate level.
• Ability to take initiative and inspire entrepreneurial and intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to interact constructively with others, regardless of their cultural background, and respect diversity;
• Ability to work in an international environment.
• Ability to use information and communication technologies to process and manage information (information management).
• Ability to competently present your ideas to the public.
• Ability to communicate with colleagues and experts from other disciplines.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including in a foreign language, using modern presentation tools.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• The ability to learn and the need for lifelong learning.
• Developed sense of professional, ethical and environmental responsibility.
• The ability to apply knowledge in new and less familiar and multidisciplinary contexts.

Subject- specific competences the graduates will acquire by the programme:

Upon completion of the master's degree study programme TP, the graduate will have:

• Comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of polymeric materials, polymer synthesis, preparation of polymeric materials, modification and processing of polymeric materials, capable of integrating innovations, new ideas and transfer of acquired knowledge to the industrial and research/development environment.
• Ability to independently and safely perform experimental work and evaluate experimental procedures and results, as well as the ability to statistically evaluate results obtained through measurements.
• Knowledge of advanced/specialized technologies in the field of polymer materials technology and related fields.
• Knowledge of key technologies in polymer processing, operation of tools  and system supply in the production of semi-finished and finished polymer products.
• Knowledge of polymer processing technologies, with emphasis on technologies used in industry, and knowledge of key processes in polymer processing according to 4th Industrial Revolution guidelines; ability to perform process analysis and synthesize necessary corrections.
• Knowledge of preparation and processing of multi-component polymeric materials.
• Knowledge of analytical methods for the characterization of polymers and polymeric materials and the ability to interpret the results.
• Understanding of the importance of the origin of polymers, sustainable development, sustainable production and use of polymeric materials, and the ability to develop products from polymeric materials with sustainable development in mind.
• Knowledge of the importance of additives and fillers on the properties and use of polymeric materials.
• Basic and applied knowledge of surface and interfacial phenomena and the ability to relate the surface structure of polymeric materials to adhesion properties, as well as knowledge of surface characterization techniques.
• In-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of polymer flow behaviour, the latest rheological laws, practical rheological characterization, and their application in simulating the flow of polymer melts for the purpose of planning polymer processing operations.
• Ability to critically read technical documentation.
• Knowledge and understanding of the importance of quality design and construction of polymer products.
• Knowledge of 3D modeling and ability to critically evaluate the results of simulations and definition of corrective actions.
• Ability to understand the importance of digitization of production processes and the interdependencies in the production environment.
• Ability to analyse and model data, evaluate, and integrate it into the production process according to Industry 4.0 guidelines.
• Knowledge of automation methods for production processes in the polymer industry with the aim of data acquisition, processing and evaluation.
• Ability to understand, critically analyse, synthesize and apply the theoretical and applied knowledge of quality management in a business and production environment and understand the implementation of a quality management system in specific manufacturing processes of development, production and distribution.
• Knowledge of the importance of linking and integrating all documents in the new product development phase, cross-referencing and updating documentation with the latest versions, and the importance of archiving.
• Knowledge of systems engineering, product and product portfolio management, product design, production technology management, product data and file management.

Specific competencies in the narrower sense are listed in the syllabi of the individual subjects.

Depending on the elective courses, the student may also acquire subject-specific competencies in the areas of polymer nanocomposites, use of polymers in biomedicine and advanced applications, lightweight materials, packaging technologies, special processing technologies, post-processing technologies, computer-aided product life cycle management, product design, 3D modeling and prototyping technologies, numerical methods and simulations in polymer technology, and production management.

Professional title

• magister inženir tehnologije polimerov 
• magistrica inženirka tehnologije polimerov 
• short form: mag. inž. tehnol. polim.

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